OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 23-29, 2023
My iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk
🕘 9.5 min read
No one covers this city like this. This month has seen an unprecedented number of arrivals: Including this week’s 20 additions, I’ve uncovered 85 new destinations in March so far. And it ain’t over yet…
Tired of missing out? Insider tip: Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter because there’s much more to come.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Home of the Chinese Crispy Burger, Beijing brand Bingz adds to its growing portfolio with a Yorkdale outpost (3401 Dufferin St). p.s. It’s not the only new food stop at the fashion-forward mall. Keep reading for details.
ChickQueen just touched down in Oakville (266 Hays Blvd., Unit 1), marking the third location in the GTA in less than two years for the halal fried chicken brand out of Dubai - with more on the way.
From grilled cheese and patty melts to doughnuts and hot ice cream sandos, Cousin Ricky’s (66 Dundas St. E.) is a one-stop shop for all the essentials.
Whitby’s Cucini Xpress is known for its Sri Lankan and fusion fare. Don’t live nearby? Skip the drive and chow down on Kothu Rotti and Deep Fried Ice Cream Burgers at their new digs downtown at Yonge and Gerrard (372 Yonge St.).
Despite the name, Scarborough’s Dudu Fish House (3272 Midland Ave., Unit B119) has much more on offer than seafood. A whack of offal, for starters: e.g. Deep Fried Chicken Soft Bones, Sliced Beef and Tongue in Chili Sauce, Marinated Pork Intestines, Braised Beef Honeycomb Tripe. For non-viscera selections, look to ingredient-dense soups and health-boosted mains of Black Chicken with Cordyceps, Spareribs with Ginseng, and Tea Tree Mushroom Duck. Bonus: ISO late night eats? Feast until 2-3am, depending on the day.
Fortune Villa’s (539 Bur Oak Ave.) extensive dim sum menu including Curry Cuttlefish, Glutinous Rice with Salted Pork & Preserved Egg Yolk in Lotus Leaf, and Foie Gras Shrimp Dumpling, is a fraction of the wide-ranging selections at Markham’s newest arrival.
Taiwanese fried chicken brand Fried Chicken Master “combines fried chicken with the concept of Taiwanese hot frying.” Created by Young Qin International Co., Ltd. in 2014, the chain enters the Canadian market with a branch at Yonge & Wellesley (628 Yonge St.). Crispy bird is available by piece, in nugget and bento form, in addition to drinks and sides.
Crush award-winning subs and dawgs at Grandma Loves You’s second destination, now open at Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.).
Devotees of buzzy Caribbean Asian joint Patois (794 Dundas St. W.) got a preview of sister concept next door, JunePlum by Patois (796 Dundas St. W.) courtesy of The Weekender Café pop-up last month. (Followers of Toronto Restaurants on Instagram got a first look in Stories). Hot tip: The chic boutique opens tomorrow. Come through for patties, snacks, drinks, and curated merch.
The menu at North York’s Kizuna Japanese Dining Bar (5308 Yonge St.) runs the gamut from mini sushi pizzas to katsu.
Formerly Lily’s Pizza & Pasta, Love My Pizza in Mississauga (1107 Lorne Park Rd., Unit 5 ) specializes in thin crust pies. Signatures include BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Ranch, and Arugula Goat.
Live every day like Taco Tuesday at Molkagtez Mexican Cuisine (1263 Queen St. W.) with tacos, tostadas, mezcal and margaritas. Find them in Le Phénix’s former digs in Parkdale.
Attention sports fans: Reservations for NBA Courtside Restaurant (15 Queens Quay E., Unit 101) are open for April 3. The first of its kind resto, courtesy of the National Basketball Association (NBA) with operations by Urban Dining Group Inc. - the folks behind Gabby’s, Hey Lucy, and District Eatery. What to expect? A “premium, sports-inspired dining experience celebrating the NBA.” The 10,000 sq. ft. space at the water’s edge includes room for outdoor dining as well as retail space.
The country’s first Paris Baguette debuted yesterday at Yonge Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St.).The inaugural bakery/café of “at least seven slated to open across Canada” this year boasts French and Asian-inspired baked goods - pastries, cakes and bread - and Lavazza coffee. Founded in 1988, the company boasts over 4,000 locations worldwide, is one of the many brands under South Korean food co. SPC Group, whose portfolio includes U.S. heavy hitters such as Jamba Juice, Eggslut and soon-to-arrive in T.O., Shake Shack.
It’s been a minute since Roywoods expanded the fam. Psst. Get in on all the good stuff - Jerk Shrimp, Oxtail, Curry Goat, their famous Wings, Patties and more - at their latest spot in Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.). Next stop: Miami, baby.
Home of the handhelds/no cutlery mandate since 2011, 416 Snack Bar at Queen and Bathurst (181 Bathurst St.) debuted Short Turn (576 Queen St. W.) yesterday. Steps away from the OG haunt, the stunning boîte is filled with cocktails, food, and vibes for days.
Down the street, Trinity Market (768A Queen St. W.) arrives with a hybrid model - café, wine bar, bottle shop, market - to satisfy your many ever-changing moods/cravings and work/life demands.
PSA: Ajax Caribbean Chinese destination The Zen Restaurant has arrived in Scarborough with a new takeout-only location (3260 Lawrence Ave. E.). Get in on Chow Mein, Pepper Shrimp, Black Pudding, and lunch specials starting at $7.99.
Dig into Halal Somali fare at Wanaag Restaurant Somali Grill and Café (224 Parliament St.) at Parliament & Shuter. Start with Mandazi and Samosa, warm up with Lentil or Goat Soup, and tuck into entrees of Salmon, Chicken Stew, or T-Bone Steak, accompanied by rice or pasta.
I gave you the head’s up last month that Zellers is coming back and for a limited time, Zellers Diner on Wheels. Classic eats (Big Hot Chicken Sandwich, Z Burger, Fries & Gravy) and new additions will be available at food trucks parked at malls across the GTA. Here’s the sched: Thursday March 23 - Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.), Saturday March 25 - Erin Mills Town Centre (5100 Erin Mills Pkwy.), Sunday March 26 – Burlington Centre (777 Guelph Line). Full lineup and details via Zellers’ website.
CLOSED
Auntie’s Supply at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) is coming to a close after nearly two years. Last day is March 26. Good news: The Asian millennial suprette is still open at Superfresh (384 Bloor St. W.) with a new location dropping on Queen West this spring. Stay tuned.
With Nordstrom’s closure of all stores countrywide - 13 in total - comes the end of all food and beverage entities including Bar Verde, Habitant, and eBar at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (260 Yonge St.). The luxury department store chain out of the U.S. debuted north of the border in 2014 and set up shop across the GTA including Yorkdale Shopping Centre (3401 Dufferin St.) and CF Sherway Gardens (25 The West Mall), in addition to two Nordstrom Racks: One Bloor (731 Yonge St.) and Vaughan Mills.
Hyde Social arrived on King West (803 King St. W.) last summer, however neighbour complaints quickly followed.
Mezza Notte closed its doors of 27 years (5304 Yonge St.) as of March 25, however it’s not the end for the North York trattoria: MN is slated to reopen at 3169 Dufferin St mid-April.
Roti’s To Go at Yonge & Dundas (66 Dundas St. E.) has come to a close.
NEWS
Gordon (Gord) Jackson, owner of a number of breakfast/brunch-centric Sunnyside Grill locations including the Toronto branch on St. Clair West, died suddenly on Saturday. He was 54.
Chair of a local BIA is warning business owners of a scam regarding packages and delivery.
Despite recent reports, The Paddock Tavern is not closing.
In addition to last week’s roundup: Fried fish ball recalled due to undeclared egg, Nuba Carob drink recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria, Salento Organics Dark Chocolate Products recalled due to undeclared milk. [UPDATE: 03.24.23 Green Sun brand Dark Chocolate Covered Pineapple recalled due to undeclared milk.]
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